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How to Hire Offshore Accountants in the Philippines

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 10
  • 6 min read

Looking to enhance your accounting capabilities while managing costs? Hiring offshore accountants in the Philippines offers access to skilled professionals, deep workforce depth, and significant financial advantages. This guide shows how to build a high-performing offshore accounting team.



Why the Philippines Is a Leading Choice

  1. Highly Skilled Workforce

  2. Strong English Proficiency & Cultural Fit

  3. Cost Efficiency

    • Average monthly cost for a mid-level accountant: $2,733 vs. $6,667 in the U.S.—saving over 56% penbrothers.com.

    • Hourly rates typically range from $20–$100+, significantly lower than U.S. averages .

  4. Time Zone Advantages

  5. Robust BPO Infrastructure



Understanding the Benefits for Your Business



Step 1: Define Needs & Ensure Readiness

Before hiring offshore:



Step 2: Find the Right Offshore Partner

Choose the model that works best:

Model

Description

Direct Hire

You hire Filipino accountants as employees or contractors. Gives greater control and alignment .

Outsourcing Firm

Engage a BPO provider that handles recruitment, vetting, and management—ideal for faster deployment .

Freelance Talent

Use platforms like Upwork or TeamUp to find individual accountants—good for pilots or specialized tasks .

Evaluate vendors by:



Step 3: Build an Effective Offshore Team

  1. Set SMART goals—clerical tasks vs. analytical output, with measurable KPIs .

  2. Use modern tools—QuickBooks or Xero for accounting; Slack/Zoom for calls; portals for file sharing kdci.co+1toaglobal.com+1.

  3. Onboard thoroughly—share policies, workflows, and communication expectations. Cultural orientation helps .

  4. Maintain frequent check-ins—daily or weekly scrums, monthly performance reviews, and quarterly strategy meetings .

  5. Evaluate performance—use KPIs, client satisfaction surveys, and compliance audits dvphilippines.com+1dvphilippines.com+1.



Step 4: Ensure Smooth, Scalable Collaboration


Offshore Engagement Models: Which One’s Right for You?

There are three primary ways to hire offshore accountants in the Philippines. Choosing the right model depends on your business size, control needs, and long-term goals.



1. Direct Hire Model

You hire an accountant directly—either as a full-time employee, contractor, or consultant.

Pros:

  • Full control over hiring, training, and daily operations

  • Lower long-term cost (no BPO overhead)

  • Higher alignment with internal company culture

Cons:

  • Requires you to handle recruitment, HR, payroll, compliance

  • You manage performance, security, and training

  • Higher upfront investment in vetting and onboarding

Best for: Mid-sized firms or startups with established HR systems and a strong understanding of offshore hiring laws.



2. BPO/Staffing Provider Model

You partner with a Philippine-based accounting BPO that sources and manages talent on your behalf.

Pros:

  • Fast hiring timelines (1–3 weeks on average)

  • No need to manage HR, payroll, IT setup, or training

  • Built-in data protection policies and compliance tools

  • Scalability—add or reduce headcount flexibly

Cons:

  • Slightly higher monthly fee due to service markup

  • Less direct control over the team (depends on SLA and structure)

  • Cultural fit may vary depending on the BPO's approach

Best for: U.S. accounting firms, enterprise finance teams, or businesses scaling fast who want plug-and-play service.



3. Freelance/Project-Based Model

Hire offshore accountants on demand via platforms like:

Pros:

  • Flexible and budget-friendly

  • Great for project-based or seasonal needs

  • Access to a wide talent pool

Cons:

  • Vetting and oversight are fully on you

  • Data protection risks

  • Performance may vary widely

Best for: Solopreneurs or small businesses testing offshore help for the first time.



How Much Do Offshore Accountants in the Philippines Cost?

Here’s a general pricing breakdown based on experience:

Role / Skillset

Monthly Salary (USD)

Hourly Rate (USD)

Junior Bookkeeper (1–2 yrs exp.)

$600–$1,000

$3–$6

Mid-Level Accountant (2–5 yrs exp.)

$1,200–$1,800

$8–$15

Senior Accountant / CPA

$2,000–$3,500+

$15–$30+

Financial Analyst / Controller

$2,500–$4,500+

$20–$50+

BPOs may charge 15%–35% on top of these wages for admin, tech, HR, and service fees. Still, costs remain significantly lower than U.S. equivalents.



Real-World Success Story: U.S. Firm Saves $250K/Year

A Los Angeles-based CPA firm outsourced 5 of their junior accountant roles to a BPO in Manila. Tasks included:

  • Transaction categorization

  • Month-end reconciliation

  • Payroll support

  • 1099 preparation

  • Client reporting

Result:

  • Cut annual labor costs by $250,000

  • Improved TAT (turnaround time) by 30%

  • Reduced seasonal overtime demand on senior staff

  • Increased profit margins without raising fees

The offshore team worked 9 PM–6 AM PH time to align with U.S. Pacific hours.



Avoiding Pitfalls: How to Set Up for Success

Here’s how to prevent the most common offshore outsourcing problems.

Data Security & Compliance

  • Use VPN access, 2FA authentication, and access logs

  • Store sensitive documents in platforms like Google Workspace, OneDrive Business, or secure portals like SmartVault

  • Avoid sending W-2s or tax records via email

  • Have clear NDAs and confidentiality clauses

Onboarding & Communication

  • Give offshore teams the same SOPs, templates, and style guides as your local team

  • Provide access to training videos and FAQs

  • Hold weekly huddles and encourage open Slack or email threads

  • Set time zone expectations (e.g., overlap hours from 7–10 AM PST)

Quality Control & Feedback

  • Use KPIs: error rate, timeliness, number of returns per week

  • Review reports weekly and hold retrospectives

  • Offer bonuses for exceeding goals or flawless audits

  • Consider using productivity tools like Hubstaff or Time Doctor if needed



Legal & Tax Considerations When Hiring in the Philippines

  • You’re not required to open a business entity in the Philippines to hire remote contractors.

  • U.S. businesses hiring directly should use Form W-8BEN to exempt Philippine contractors from U.S. withholding tax.

  • Avoid misclassification by using written contracts that clearly define scope, hours, pay, and termination rights.

  • Consider consulting a local Philippine legal firm for advice if hiring in volume.



Conclusion

If you’re looking to grow your accounting team without inflating your costs, hiring offshore accountants in the Philippines is a proven strategy. With a deep talent pool, high English fluency, and cultural alignment, the Philippines offers reliable financial professionals for startups, midsize firms, and large enterprises alike.

Start with a clear plan. Choose the right model. Vet carefully. And focus on long-term integration, not just short-term labor savings.



About OpsArmy

OpsArmy is building AI-native back office operations as a service (OaaS). We help businesses run their day-to-day operations with AI-augmented teams, delivering outcomes across finance, admin, sales, and hiring.

In a world where every team is expected to do more with less, OpsArmy provides fully managed “Ops Pods” that blend deep-knowledge experts, structured playbooks, and AI copilots. Think of us as your operational infrastructure: running faster, leaner, and smarter business execution. Visit https://www.operationsarmy.com to learn more.



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